Tag: Cheese Factory

This year Marin French Cheese, also known as the Cheese Factory, is celebrating their 150th year anniversary. As the longest continually operating cheese company in the United States, they have an extensive history with the community and the land.

To commemorate this long history, Marin French Cheese hosted a 150th Anniversary Celebration at the farm on June 14 to thank the community of friends, neighbors, employees, and customers that have supported them throughout the years. With many vendors’ products to sample, music from

Dixie Giants, Photo By Ashley Collingwood

The Dixie Giants, and free food from Fabrique Delices, there was a strong sense of community at the event. Families gathered around picnic tables and sat on blankets to eat in the sun, others sat on bales of hay to listen to people’s stories and memories of Marin French Cheese.

Attendees heard the compelling history of the Cheese Factory beginning in 1865 with the original founder, Jefferson Thompson, who began selling breakfast cheeses as a protein replacement for eggs during an egg shortage.

Marin French Cheese Celebration, Photo By Ashley Collingwood

Jefferson Thompson’s great-grandchildren, Marilyn and Bob Thompson spoke about their memories of the Cheese Factory during the storytelling time, hosted by local author and historian Dewey Livingston. Marilyn recalls, “Bob did a lot of work out here—driving tractors and keeping the grounds in order—and I would come and pack cheese in the summers and that was my only job here.”

Author Frances Rivetti Fog Valley Crush, Photo By Ashley Collingwood

While the Thompsons no longer own Marin French Cheese, they are still connected to the community surrounding the factory. “People who work here became friends of the family and I’m going fishing with some of them,” said Bob Thompson, “The surrounding community became family as well because they’d show up and buy the cheese … and we’re very much appreciative of that.

In addition to hearing stories from the community, attendees were able to witness a cheese making demonstration, learn about beekeeping, talk withFrances Rivetti, author of Fog Valley Crush, and go on a tour of the farm.

CLICK ON PAGE 2 BELOW TO SEE A VIDEO HIGHLIGHTING THE DAY AND LIST OF VENDORS WHO ATTENDED THIS CELEBRATION

When growing up in the area, I always remembered our family visits and school field trips to the “Cheese Factory”. Taking the tour and watching the cheese making process is a lifetime and memorable experience. A great spot to ride your bike on country roads making it your half-way point-rest stop for a picnic with a glass of wine, cheese and french bread while watching the ducks swim in the pond.

This dairy started in 1865 during a time the civil war railroads were lined west to east and western immigrants started settling in Marin County to farm the rich coastal territory.

At his West Marin dairy farm just on the border of Petaluma, Jefferson Thompson built deliciously fresh cheese utilizing the dairy from his cows. Thompson could then deliver it to the dockworkers in the Bay Area by schooner. He soon gained recognition for his European style cheeses – smooth – Camembert ripened Brie and a basic treat named Petite Breakfast cheese – and launched a creamery that would ultimately be called Marin French Cheese.

CLICK PAGE 2 BELOW TO CONTINUE TO READ AND LEARN DATES OF THE “CHEESE FACTORY WEEKENDS” AND SEE VIDEOS